Sheridan courthouse in former church nears completion

SHERIDAN – The new town courthouse in the former St. John Bosco Church in Sheridan is nearly complete.

Town Supervisor Louis Delmonte announced Thursday that the heating, ventilating and air conditioning installations are on schedule. He said the town is looking towards using the building in April. The courthouse will be the last of the town offices to move to the campus that was formerly owned by the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo. The town purchased the property several years ago and moved the town clerk, assessor, building inspector and board offices to the former rectory. The town also acquired a large hall that is used for town meetings and other community functions.

No plans have been announced for the former town hall building on the corner of Route 20 and Center Road.

The local court had one of its busiest months in January, when 346 vehicle and traffic ticket cases were heard. A total of $38,337 in fines was collected.

The court received a grant from the New York State Unified Court System for $7,271.

In other matters, board members acted on a new cellphone use policy for employees after a state audit revealed that the town had failed to implement one.

The Town Board is working with the city of Dunkirk and the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency to seek funds for a new water district. The district would include Farmingdale, Middle and Werle roads. It would connect to city lines near the industrial park.

Delmonte said he will meet with city officials in the near future to discuss the project.

County Legislator Terry Niebel, R-Sheridan, gave board members a lengthy update on the progress of the sale of the Chautauqua County Home in Dunkirk.

Niebel also reported that he has been talking with county public works officials regarding drainage issues on Center Road in the town.

Clerk Julie Szumigala reported that $1.5 million of the $2.1 tax levy has already been collected for the town. Tax bills paid in February are subject to a late fee.